In a preview of the special Comerford, who has been cooking for presidents since the Clinton administration, said the chefs were in "awe" of everything they saw at the White House.

The chefs were kept in the dark about most of the challenge, other than its special location inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

"We had no idea what was gonna be unveiled." Lagasse said. "I was kind of waiting for the chairman to mysteriously come out of the White House...and then all of the sudden the First Lady Mrs. Obama comes out and stunning– I mean absolutely striking."
Batali said, while it was exciting seeing the Rose Garden, peeking into the Oval Office and meeting the Obamas' dog Bo, the most exciting thing for him was the First Lady's attire.

"Most significantly what you'll notice is the fact that she's wearing what has previously been called 'Batali orange," he joked. " When I pointed it out to her I said, 'I have to tell you Mrs. Obama, up until today...this has always been referred to as Batali orange, but I think from today on we will call it 'Obama-Batali orange.'"
"I think she got a little kick," he added.

While part of the special, airing January 3 is from the White House, the actual battle is out of the show's Kitchen Stadium set.

soundoff(87 Responses)

elio

No more fluff Obama news
the rest of us are tired of their hot air.
ho is the rest of us?
are you talking about the southern antiamerican that their arses still hurt becouse they lost the election and now are biching about everything the president is doing ...get lost or shut up we the majority win the election you do not like get out move to russia or shut uptea party morons

December 12, 2009 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |

chris l

i hope pork is not involved. i heard muslims dont like it.

December 12, 2009 05:48 pm at 5:48 pm |

TOTUS

Fantastic! I am so impressed with our first lady, and her stressing the importance of eating healthy – lord knows she has a world-class bunda.

December 12, 2009 05:53 pm at 5:53 pm |

Linda32

Wow, the comments on here are amazing! She went on the program to promote healthy fare and people are complaining? Some of you don't even understand what the show is. If you're going to criticize, at least let it be a smart criticism!

I think its wonderful that they are utilizing this forum to promote healthy eating.

December 12, 2009 05:53 pm at 5:53 pm |

Mark

Wonderful and Mopit – Openness??? Best First Lady ever??? C'mon and wake up. This is called Happy Happy Joy Joy marketing. Plain and simple. Open your eyes. This is the fundamental difference between the 2 parties. One is all about creating the perception, done quite well with the assistance of the media and the other is about doing what is right for the country and it's citizens and not placating to every little whining group of spoiled brats that just love to live off of the work/taxes of others.

December 12, 2009 05:56 pm at 5:56 pm |

open minded

It's a shame that there are so many airheads out there that have nothing better to do than jump at every oportunity to be negative and sarcastic about our President and his lovely wife.. Why don't you go audition for the part of Scrooge, and then go home and watch the idiots Limbaugh and Beck..?

December 12, 2009 06:07 pm at 6:07 pm |

Pragmatic

StingyBee moans "Of course, they wil let her win..." – evidently too busy thinking up his/her snarky remark to read the article: The First Lady is not cooking – just picked the "secret ingredient" ... Grade? B- if not a F for commenting before reading ...

I find that with so many Obama-bashers ... their comments have noting to do with reality and more to do with puffing themselves up as intelligent .... that is so lame ....

December 12, 2009 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |

Andi

If you guys think Michelle Obama is so boring and awful, why do you waste your time being drama-kings/queens about it on these blogs?

Most of us think she's pretty terrific, and she's done nothing to earn your resentment, unless you don't like seeing a Black family living better than yours? Now, now, don't cry about the 'race' card, but, come on! She's a lovely, intelligent, kind woman who does not deserve the rancor sent her way.

December 12, 2009 06:21 pm at 6:21 pm |

Marv

Fame ho your mother is a bore.

December 12, 2009 06:22 pm at 6:22 pm |

Otto

Love her or hate her; the white house is more open than ever before. Think about the many kids or ever color that got a chance to enter that place; somewhere most would never thought they would be invited.

Well...there are many who would hate their own mother if she was of another party...and then the rasist people too...just saying...

December 12, 2009 06:25 pm at 6:25 pm |

Old Republican registered voter

Is she going to cook fried chicken or grits or maybe hogback and beens.
Give me a break, doesn't she have anything more constructive to do with her time

December 12, 2009 06:27 pm at 6:27 pm |

hal

I'm getting bored of the"fluff" that is being presented here. I think CNN is stretching it a little too far! We need to be talking about our economy and jobs, jobs, jobs!!!

December 12, 2009 06:28 pm at 6:28 pm |

gene

very cool. One of my favorite shows and looks like a great line up of chefs. Get over the politics for a few minutes....we´re talking food!

December 12, 2009 06:29 pm at 6:29 pm |

Maria

To Nor more fluff and the rest of you haters: IT'S THE HOLIDAYS. Regardless of who is in the White House, you will ALWAYS see this type of programming this time of year. The fact is, people are interested in seeing the domestic side of the President and his family, and you don't have to have world peace to air it. Oh, and speak for yourself when you consider the environmental conference a "joke," his cabinet as "boneheads" and "the rest of us" being "tired of their hot air" — I don't agree with a single one of your assessments.

December 12, 2009 06:32 pm at 6:32 pm |

Linda

Dodandodan-Ms Obama has put lots of effort into encouraging good eating habits and included kids from the D.C. area to work on the White House garden and share in the bounty of that garden.

Some people just resent goodness in others and the Obamas are good people. Agree with their politics or not it is hard not to notice the decency of the Obama family and it is sad to see so many who can't accept the goodness.

Happy Holidays!

December 12, 2009 06:42 pm at 6:42 pm |

Joyce Becker

What a stupid comment, nothing boring about our First Lady, she is a breath of fresh air in the White House. Nothing fluff about the food you eat, you are what you eat, people who make dumb remarks probably live on junk food. Eating well is the best revenge. Remember your food bill would be a lot smaller if you took the trouble to grow a vegetable garden, and muh healthier also. I watch the food channel a lot and happy to hear about the upcoming show!!

December 12, 2009 06:42 pm at 6:42 pm |

Russ H

She needs to worry how the Govrnment is going to feed the people after medicare, health and social security is gone. Not blaming everything on the democrats,but they are not helping the situation.

December 12, 2009 06:50 pm at 6:50 pm |

Melody

I think this is a fantastic idea. I can't wait to see the show.

For all you haters out there, The First Lady is not boring. She has an extensive background and she continues to do more in her role as the First Lady. Unfortunately, the media prefers to report the nonsense drivel of Sarah Palin, who hasn't done anything for the people of Alaska, for the exception of quitting her job. Which I think is the best thing for the people of Alaska.

As far as The First Lady, she started a Mentor program for young girls, she has several projects for military families and she is working closely with Service America. She also mentioned that her priorities is being mom in chief and I think it is great she is putting her children first.

Get over you hate because nothing can change the fact that we have breath of fresh air in the White House for the next three years and I am very proud of the POUST and FLOUST.

December 12, 2009 06:56 pm at 6:56 pm |

Vigla

Frankly I'm sick of you conservatives whining and whining. The government has expenses and they have to be paid. Where the heck were you guys from 2001 through 2009? Asleep at the wheel, of course. Happily singing along while Rush and Beck whispered sweet nothings into your ears... I'd be worried if you all weren't a bunch of hypocrites.

Let us adults take care of this mess, OK? This country is a mess because of conservative pro corporate policies in place for almost 30 years. You had your time, and you failed miserably. GO AWAY!

December 12, 2009 06:58 pm at 6:58 pm |

NC

the poster child for what a first lady shouldn't be..........I miss Laura Bush, now she was elegant and charming.

December 12, 2009 07:02 pm at 7:02 pm |

Donkey Party

The hate from the right is expected, but it's still sick.

December 12, 2009 07:04 pm at 7:04 pm |

Bert K.

Due to the economy the chefs should be challenged to improve on a recipe of "W's Beans and Franks."

December 12, 2009 07:05 pm at 7:05 pm |

cocolu

Can't wait to see the show!
Should be fun!

December 12, 2009 07:07 pm at 7:07 pm |

MikeH

But what would Sarah Palin do?

Sarah Palin knows a thing or two about crock, let's hear from her.

Why isn't Sarah Palin's opinion posted here? I thought CNN was All Palin, All the Time.